Christmas at the White House

All Things Bright and Beautiful Exhibit

November 16, 2017 - January 7, 2018

All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small;
All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.

The George W. Bush Presidential Center announces Holidays at the Bush Center 2017; an all-new spectacular calendar of dazzling exhibits, exciting events, and fun activities running through January 7, 2018.

The re-creation of the 18-foot
Blue Room Christmas tree features more than 500 white lilies, glass bead garland, and clear crystal ball ornaments.

All-New Museum Exhibit

The United States President and First Lady have chosen a theme for White House holiday celebrations every year since 1961. That year, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy decorated a tree placed in the oval Blue Room with ornamental toys, birds, and angels modeled after Pyotr Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite" ballet.

In the spring of 2005, President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush chose the theme, All Things Bright and Beautiful,to highlight the beauty found in nature. Inspired by a 19th-century English hymn that became the title of Yorkshire veterinarian James Herriot's beloved book, Mrs. Bush said at the time that the line inspired the use of fresh flowers, fruits, and plants to show "how beautiful nature is and how many things we can use from our own gardens or woods" for Christmas decorations.

At the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, visitors will discover the excitement and wonder of a White House holiday. All Things Bright and Beautiful: Christmas at the House 2005 includes gorgeous flowers and colorful murals, behind-the-scenes photos, Mrs. Bush’s holiday dress, heartwarming Barney Cam videos, and more.

TOWERING CHRISTMAS TREES

Families will make treasured memories with a photo in front of the giant Blue Room Christmas tree. As the centerpiece of White House holiday décor, the 18-foot recreation of the 2005 White House Christmas tree is adorned with more than 500 white lilies, dazzling glass bead garland, and clear crystal ball ornaments.

Another giant Christmas tree, lighting up the Bush Center’s Courtyard, features handcrafted ornaments by the Laura Bush Foundation schools in Austin, Houston, and Lubbock, Texas.

HOLIDAY HISTORY, MUSIC, CRAFTS, AND MORE!

Every Saturday in December at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and noon, Education Docents will share fascinating stories about White House Christmas traditions. Find out about President Andrew Jackson's indoor snowball fight, why President Theodore Roosevelt’s son hid a Christmas tree in an upstairs closet, what animal President Grover Cleveland gave each of his Cabinet members as a gift, and more.

In addition to free holiday craft sessions for everyone, several talented community choirs are scheduled to perform in the Bush Center’s Freedom Hall throughout the holiday season. Finally, Santa will make a special appearance on the day after Thanksgiving.

ADMISSION TICKETS

DALLAS CITYPASS

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